Whether it's a summer vacation or a short weekend trip: Whenever you're away, the problem remains that the houseplants still need to be supplied with water. If neighbors or friends cannot take on this task, automatic or homemade irrigation systems can help.
How to water houseplants while you're away?
If houseplants are watered while you are away, automatic irrigation systems such as irrigation cones, pumps with timers or self-made systems such as bathtubs, wool thread, PET bottles or granules can be used.
Automatic watering system for indoor plants
One of the following irrigation systems (€46.00 on Amazon), which are already available in stores for little money and can be used again and again, is practical.
Watering cones
If you only need to be away for a few days, so-called irrigation cones are a proven method of supplying thirsty houseplants with water. These cones are available in different variations and from different manufacturers, but they all work on a similar principle. The water stored in an external container is slowly and gradually released into the plant pot via a plastic or clay cone inserted into the ground. You have the following systems to choose from:
- Watering cone with attached glass balloon
- Watering cone connected to a storage container via a hose
- Watering cone that is simply screwed onto a PET or glass bottle
Basically, you should give preference to irrigation cones made of clay, as they release water more reliably into the substrate. It simply seeps through the porous material. Plastic cones, on the other hand, simply have a drainage hole through which the liquid flows away.
With pump and timer
The system from a well-known manufacturer, which works using a pump and timer, is very sophisticated and reliable. Here the water is supplied via supply lines and drip hoses, through which the water is transported directly to the plants using a small submersible pump. It is watered once a day for about a minute, which is regulated by a specially programmed timer. The disadvantage of this system, however, is its price: you can budget for this irrigation from EUR 120 and up.
Do-it-yourself systems – simple and effective
At these prices, you can get much cheaper if you build your own irrigation system. This does not require complicated or expensive materials; most people already have them on hand at home. However, it is important to work carefully when building it yourself - if the system does not work, your plants could die while you are away. It therefore makes sense to first test your self-built irrigation system while you are at home. Then you can eliminate any sources of error in good time. You have these options for a self-built irrigation system:
- Bathtub: lined with thick towels and filled with water about five centimeters deep, place plants in it without a planter
- Wool thread: Connect the plant pot and the bucket filled with water using wool or cotton string, stretch it tightly
- PET bottle: Fill a PET or glass bottle with water and insert it upside down into the substrate (for flower boxes and large pots)
- Granules: Only place plants in the plant pot in a larger container filled with granules and moistened with water
Tip
The easiest way to water your holidays is to use hydroponics right from the start.
